Masters Degrees (Graduate School of Business and Leadership)

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Employee perceptions on the employee assistance programme to boost productivity in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
(2026) Mhlongo, Philile Sissy.; Majola, Priscilla Xoliswa.
This study explored employee perceptions of the employee assistance programme (EAP) as a strategic intervention to enhance workplace productivity in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, with the focus on the eThekwini Metro Police Service (EMPS). EAPs are designed to support employees in managing personal and work-related challenges that affect performance; however, their utilisation and impact on South African municipal policing remain inconsistently understood. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted, using semistructured interviews with purposively selected EMPS employees in Queensburgh. Guided by the person-in-environment, ecological systems, and general systems theories, the study examined how individual, organisational, and environmental factors influence EAP utilisation and perceived effectiveness. Thematic analysis revealed that employees recognise the EAP’s potential to support well-being and productivity, but its effectiveness is constrained by low awareness, confidentiality concerns, cultural stigma, accessibility challenges, and inconsistent leadership support. These factors shape both the utilisation and employees’ perceptions of the EAP’s value and its contribution to productivity-related outcomes. The study concludes that employees’ perceptions and experiences are central to the effective implementation and strategic impact of EAPs in municipal policing. It recommends strengthening leadership involvement, improving communication, enhancing accessibility, and fostering a supportive organisational culture to increase EAP uptake, employee well-being, and overall performance.
Exploring leadership development strategies in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in Durban central region, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2025) Nxumalo, Nondumiso Faith.; Taylor, Simon Michael.
This study examined leadership development strategies within the Apostolic Faith Mission ofSouth Africa (AFM of SA), focusing on the Durban Central Region (DCR) in KwaZulu-Natal. Itwas driven by the need for sustainable church growth and ministerial effectiveness through intentional and contextually relevant leadership formation. Despite the AFM’s theologicalheritage and organizational presence, scholarly exploration of its regional leadershipdevelopment remains limited. Using a qualitative research approach rooted in Saunders' Research Onion and interpretivist paradigm, the study gathered data via semi-structured interviews with twelve ordained pastors. Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo software, revealed that leadership development in the DCR is largely informal, relational, and spiritually driven—centered on mentoring, pastoral formation, and discerning spiritual callings. Although these methods enhance spiritual depth and relational accountability, they often lack structure, institutional support, and clarity in succession planning. Leadership selection processes were also seen to be vulnerable to internal politics and opportunism. Moreover, current strategies fail to meet modern organizational needs, particularly in administration, diversity, and inclusivity. The research advocates a hybrid leadership development model combining spiritual formation with organized frameworks. It recommends integrating servant leadership principles (Greenleaf, 1970; Van Dierendonck & Nuijten, 2011) and structured feedback systems like 360-degree evaluations (Bracken, Rose & Church, 2016) to enhance accountability and authenticity. Key recommendations include the establishment of standardised national and regional leadership development frameworks, the embedding of servant leadership principles within leadership curricula and evaluative processes, the implementation of structured feedback mechanisms such as 360-degree evaluations, and the strengthening of inclusive succession planning practices. The study contributes to both academic discourse and ecclesial practice by proposing a contextually grounded, theologically informed approach to leadership formation within African Pentecostalism. It underscores the need for balancing administrative competency and spiritual authenticity to cultivate effective, transformative church leaders.
Innovation barriers facing small black-owned architectural and landscape architectural firms in South Africa.
(2025) Mputa, Thozama Nobanju.; Dubihlela, Jobo.
Innovation within the built environment is a fundamental catalyst for competitiveness, sustainability, and sectoral transformation. Despite this, emerging Black-owned architectural and landscape architectural practices in South Africa encounter systemic impediments that stifle their innovative capacity. This dissertation investigates the multidimensional barriers to innovation within these firms and identifies strategic pathways to the adoption of Open Innovation frameworks. The study adopted a qualitative research design anchored in an interpretivist paradigm and a phenomenological strategy. This methodological approach facilitated an indepth exploration of the lived experiences of ten purposively selected practitioners across private practice, public infrastructure departments, and non-profit organisations. Primary data collected through semi-structured interviews were synthesised using thematic analysis. The findings revealed seven critical themes: financial fragility, collaboration deficits, structural client bias, regulatory constraints, mentorship limitations, internal capacity gaps, and disparate levels of open-innovation awareness. The research demonstrates that a deficit does not hinder innovation in creativity, but by an entrenched "Vicious Cycle of Exclusion." These interlocking structural and historical constraints restrict resource flows and knowledge sharing, preventing firms from engaging in collaborative experimentation. Drawing on Treacy and Wiersema’s (1993) Value Disciplines, the findings reveal that systemic pressures force emerging, Black-led firms into "operational excellence" modes focusing on survival at the expense of innovation-driven "product leadership." The study concludes that meaningful transformation requires a departure from symbolic inclusion toward structural reform. Key recommendations include implementing tiered fee structures, inclusive procurement frameworks, and formalised mentorship networks. By dismantling systemic barriers, the sector can unlock the latent potential of Black-owned firms, fostering an environment where Open Innovation can flourish. This research contributes to the discourse on built-environment transformation by bridging the gap between innovation theory and the socio-economic realities of South African professional practice.
Managers’ perspectives into skills required for young professionals in Transnet property to assume leadership roles.
(2025) Masinga, S’Phamandla Andile.; Proches, Cecile Gerwel.
The evolving landscape of public sector entities in South Africa necessitates a strong pipeline of capable young leaders to drive strategic transformation and operational efficiency. Transnet Property, an operating division of Transnet SOC Ltd, plays a crucial role in managing a vast and diverse property portfolio with a mandate to optimise the returns from the Transnet property portfolio. As Transnet Property navigates a complex and evolving business environment, the development of future leadership from within its pool of young professionals is critical to ensuring long-term organisational sustainability. This study explores the perspectives of managers at Transnet Property regarding the essential skills young professionals need to assume leadership roles within the organisation. A qualitative research approach was employed, and participants were purposefully selected due to their in-depth knowledge and experience that they possess in the property industry and in leadership roles. Semi structured interviews were conducted with nine Regional Managers in the leasing, operations and facilities management department within Transnet Property. Thematic analysis and NVivo software were utilised to identify key themes and insights across participant responses. Findings revealed six key skills that are required by young professionals at Transnet Property to assume leadership roles. These are: emotional intelligence and awareness, visionary and strategic thinking, transformative and adaptability, people and relationship management, ethics and values, and communication and collaboration. Furthermore, the research identified several challenges faced by young professionals at Transnet Property in their pursuit of leadership roles. These are: progress and mobility, developmental barriers, financial and resource constraints, organisational dynamics, and red tapes and resistance. Managers identified several support mechanisms to develop young professionals within Transnet Property for leadership roles these include: training and learning, formalised mentorship, capacity and resources, increased management exposure, and organisational culture change. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on leadership development and provides actionable recommendations for Transnet Property to enhance its leadership pipeline. It underscores the importance of targeted skills development initiatives that respond to managerial expectations and organisational objectives to foster the growth of competent future leaders.
Exploring the factors that affect organisational culture of a high school in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(2025) Govender, Sasha.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
Organisational culture is a relevant concept across all industries and environments. It is complex in nature but of critical importance to investigate due to the impact it has on everything from staff turnover to profit. The aim of this study was to investigate what organisational culture looks like at a school level and revealing the factors that affect it. In particular, the study explored four key driving factors influencing organisational culture within the school context, namely leadership, parental involvement, individual personalities within the organisation, and market pressures. This study took on a qualitative nature which enabled insights and discovery from the research conducted through the inductive approach. The data obtained was done through semi-structured interviews engaging a varied group of 15 participants. These participants were a mixture of administrative and academic staff at the high school and came from different positions in the hierarchy. Some of the common themes that emerged from the research include leadership impact, employee and customer impact, drastic changes and overall policies, procedures and behaviours enabled at the school. These influence how organisational culture is generated and sustained in an organisation. These themes confirmed what was depicted in some of the literature but provided further detail that is not found in the aforementioned literature. Additionally, the research showed that many participants have concerns about the current state of the organisational culture. However, a few participants had positive perceptions about the future organisational culture in light of organisational changes to come. With all participants, it was clear that organisational culture is a noteworthy consideration as an employee and directly impacts the way that they experience the organisation. When it came to changing or improving organisational culture, most participants believed that it was possible but that it would take time and intention. It would be advised that another study on the organisation is done at a different period from now after the abovementioned changes are implemented.
Evaluating the effectiveness of transformational leadership on local economic development: a case study of uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
(2025) Zuma, Muziwokuthula.; Majola, Priscilla Xoliswa.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
This proposed study aimed to examine the role and impact of transformational leadership on local economic development initiatives in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality (UMDM), identifying enabling factors and institutional barriers. Using a case study approach, the study aimed to assess the impact of transformational leadership on local economic development in the municipality and to identify the key characteristics of transformational leadership that positively influence it. The study employed a qualitative approach for a phenomenological research design. The study site was located in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, situated in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 15 municipal officials selected from the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, including municipal managers and senior managers/directors. These individuals play direct roles in service delivery within the operational area of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. Thematic analysis, employing an interpretive approach, was used to analyse the data for this study. The study's findings revealed that the visionary leadership of UMDM encourages and inspires stakeholders to strive toward a shared objective of sustainable economic development and growth. The UMDM's cooperative strategy promotes collaboration among the community, private sector, and local government. The study recommended that the UMDM's cooperative strategy should encourage alliances between community organisations, the private sector, and local government to promote economic development. A further recommendation is that transformational leadership in the district must go beyond the municipality. It must also impact informal traders by promoting their ideas, providing the necessary support, and encouraging them to achieve higher performance levels. To help create jobs and reduce unemployment, UMDM should encourage entrepreneurship and support local small businesses.
Critical success factors and challenges in adopting remote working in a selected bank in South Africa.
(2025) Mtshali, Delisile Marcia.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the global shift toward remote working (RW) and work-from-home, redefining organisational structures and employee experiences. In South Africa, the traditionally office-based banking sector has begun adopting hybrid remote work models as part of its digital transformation. While benefits such as higher productivity and improved work-life balance are well-documented internationally, unique local barriers, including gaps in digital infrastructure, managerial resistance, and employee adjustment challenges, remain significant. To better understand the practical and theoretical implications, the researcher used job satisfaction theory, organisational theory, and work-life balance frameworks to examine these challenges within the context of RW. The study investigates critical success factors and challenges of remote work adoption in a selected South African bank, focusing on insights from both junior and senior managers. A qualitative design underpins this research, drawing on primary data from online semi-structured interviews with 10 bank managers of varying seniority. Insights were collected about technology readiness, organisational culture, communication, and support systems. The research proposed a tentative contribution to current RW literature due to the dynamic interplay between technological infrastructure, leadership adaptability, organisational culture, employee well-being, and continuous capability development. The main limitations of the study include its focus on a single banking institution, which may limit generalisability, and the potential for participant and researcher bias. Nevertheless, the findings provide actionable recommendations for managers and policymakers seeking to implement sustainable RW models in emerging markets.
Investigating the effectiveness of policies on household water and sanitation debt escalation at eThekwini Municipality.
(2025) Nkosi, Bongiwe Beryl.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
This qualitative case study examines the effectiveness of local policies in mitigating the growth of household water and sanitation debt in the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. Based on semi-structured interviews with a highly vulnerable peri-urban resident. Semi-structured interviews will be employed in this study's qualitative research methodology to collect data from key stakeholders of the Water and Sanitation Directorate, as well as residents of eThekwini Municipality. 15 participants who are directly impacted by and/or involved in the implementation of water and sanitation policies were chosen using non-probability purposive sampling. To find important trends and root causes, the data were subjected to a thematic analysis. There is a low level of policy awareness, and access to indigent relief is limited, despite numerous visits to the Sizakala centre and community revelations that there is no work available. The implementation is biased towards punishment, focusing on debt recovery rather than repair, and blocks communication, creates dependency among councillors, and unclear distribution spreads misinformation. Mutual accountability is socio-culturally recognised, but conditional on the investment of municipal infrastructure, which underscores a trust schism. Complemented by the current literature, the results highlight institutional silos rather than noncompliance among the residents as the key sources of debt. According to the findings, the household water and sanitation debt in eThekwini municipality continues to grow despite current policies, due to ineffective implementation, income inequality, a lack of community engagement, and ambiguous policy criteria. Access to support is challenging for residents, underscoring the need for more sustainable, transparent, and inclusive policy approaches. It is recommended that equity-based changes be made to national frameworks to achieve sustainable governance. Weaknesses are the single-interview generalisability that is alleviated by future mixed-methods development. The work contributes to the current research on propoor utility management, where interventions should be holistic in terms of fiscal sustainability and the constitutional realisation of water rights.
Evaluating the potential of electric buses in eThekwini Municipality KwaZulu- Natal public transport network.
(2025) Khubone, Thabane Enocent.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
This study examines the feasibility of integrating electric buses into the eThekwini Municipality's public transport network in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research explores the technical, economic, environmental, and policy dimensions of transitioning from diesel to electric buses within a developing urban context. A qualitative case study design was employed, focusing on Go Durban, the city’s main public transport operator. This study involved 20 participants from the eThekwini Municipality's public transport ecosystem, including 7 transport officials, 5 fleet managers, 3 policy experts, and 5 commuters. This diversity ensures a comprehensive understanding of perspectives on integrating electric buses into the public transport network. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis, and were analysed thematicallyusing Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Findings revealed that while electric buses offer substantial environmental benefits through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, several barriers persist. Technical challenges include limited battery performance under humid and hilly conditions, as well as inadequate charging infrastructure. Economic feasibility is constrained by high capital costs and uncertain funding mechanisms, though long-term savings and employment opportunities offer promise. Environmentally, the benefits are moderated by South Africa’s coal-dependent electricity supply, raising questions about the net reduction in carbon emissions. Policy gaps, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and limited institutional coordination further hinder large-scale implementation. The study recommends targeted incentives, integrated policy reforms, investment in renewable energy-based charging systems, and strengthened public-private partnerships to support the sustainable electrification of public transport. Overall, the research underscores the importance of aligning technological innovation with economic viability, environmental responsibility, and governance readiness to achieve a resilient and sustainable transport future for eThekwini Municipality and similar urban contexts in the Global South.
Impact of strategic management decisions on financial performance: a case study of Clicks Group Limited.
(2026) Musukutwa, Ebinezer Tendaishe.; Dubihlela, Jobo.; Oluwakemi, Adejayan Adeola.
This study investigates the relationship between strategic management decisions and financial performance in South Africa’s regulated retail pharmacy sector, using Clicks Group Limited as a longitudinal case study. As the country’s leading pharmacy-led retail chain, Clicks provides an empirically rich context for evaluating how strategic choices shape firm-level outcomes over time. The study focuses on three core strategic initiatives undertaken by the company between 2015 and 2024: expanding its pharmacy footprint, growing market share, and innovating private-label health and wellness products. The research is theoretically grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Porter’s (1980) Generic Strategies, enabling analysis of how internal capabilities and competitive positioning interact to influence performance. A quantitative methodological approach was adopted, using audited financial statements, market reports, and regulatory disclosures to construct a ten-year panel dataset. Descriptive trend analysis, correlation testing, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationships among strategic decisions and four key financial indicators: Return on Investment (ROI), Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT), average closing share price, and revenue. The findings show that pharmacy expansion was consistently and significantly associated with improvements in EBIT and revenue growth, while market share influenced ROI. Private-label share, while relevant to strategic positioning, did not demonstrate statistically significant effects in adjusted models. These results suggest that strategic growth through scale and market presence exerts a greater measurable influence on financial outcomes than product innovation alone, particularly under conditions of regulatory constraint and price controls. Based on these findings, the study recommends that retail-pharmacy firms operating in regulated environments prioritise strategies that expand pharmacy networks and strengthen market presence, as these initiatives demonstrate the most consistent and measurable impact on operating profitability and revenue growth. Product innovation through private-label development should be positioned as a complementary rather than primary growth strategy, supporting differentiation and customer retention while recognising its more limited direct effect on financial performance under price-controlled regulatory conditions.
Optimizing maintenance strategies through data-driven analysis: case study of a manufacturing company in South Africa Pietermaritzburg.
(2025) Zuma, Sandile Aubrey.; Taylor, Simon.
The increasing complexity of industrial systems and pressure on businesses to achieve operational excellence have made maintenance a strategic function in modern manufacturing. This study examined how data extracted from IBM Maximo can be leveraged in the process of evaluating and optimizing maintenance strategies within a South African manufacturing firm. The research focused on eight key production departments within the organization and analysed historical maintenance data spanning the period 2021 to 2025. The study adopted a quantitative, postpositivist research approach and employed structured methods to extract, process, clean and integrate workflows to transform raw maintenance records into analytical datasets. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were applied to uncover the relationships between maintenance activities and asset reliability. The findings revealed significant variations across departments in maintenance workload distribution, work type composition, and asset performance. Preventive maintenance was found to increase breakdowns in the month of execution but demonstrated lagged reliability improvements in subsequent months. At the same time, predictive maintenance was underutilized, resulting in statistically insignificant effects. Corrective maintenance exhibited the most significant immediate impact on breakdown frequency, increasing failures during the month of execution. The study concluded that (Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) data holds great potential for driving continuous improvement when converted into actionable insights. The observed interdepartmental differences and maintenance behaviour patterns formed the foundation for recommending a targeted approach to reliability enhancement. A data-driven feedback loop is proposed to support maintenance teams in refining task intervals, focusing attention on high-risk assets, and systematically tracking the long-term impact of maintenance interventions.
Exploring perceptions of talent management in the Finance Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2025) Qwabe, McLord Lungani.; Gerwel, Proches, Cecile Naomi.; Singh, Nikita.
The global Higher Education (HE) sector faces intense competition, rapid transformation, and escalating financial pressures, which make the strategic management of human capital essential for institutional sustainability. Although scholars widely recognise Talent Management (TM) as a key driver of organisational performance, existing research has largely focused on academic staff. This emphasis creates a significant gap in understanding the perceptions and experiences of professional and administrative support staff, particularly within the complex environment of South African higher education institutions. This study addresses this gap by examining the perceptions of professional staff in the Finance Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) regarding institutional TM practices. Guided by Inclusive Theory, the study critically evaluates the equity, accessibility, and transformative capacity of these practices. The research adopted a qualitative, exploratory design and draws on semi-structured interviews conducted with a sample of ten senior line management professional staff in the UKZN Finance Department, due to their managerial roles and experience in overseeing staff within the department. Thematic analysis enables an in-depth interpretation of participants’ lived experiences and identifies areas of alignment and misalignment between institutional TM policies and their practical implementation. The findings reveal a dual perception of TM. Participants recognise its benefits, particularly in enhancing departmental productivity through the effective use of institutional knowledge and contextual competence, which they regard as more valuable than external recruitment. Effective TM also strengthens employee retention and commitment by supporting career progression and reinforcing the psychological contract. However, participants highlight systemic challenges, including fragmented digital systems, described as functioning as a “digital filing cabinet”, and rigid career pathways that restrict cross-functional mobility and data-informed decision-making. The study concludes that while UKZN’s TM framework holds strategic value, systemic inflexibility and limited data integration undermine its effectiveness and equitable reach. By foregrounding the perspectives of non-academic staff, the study contributes context-specific insights to TM scholarship and offers practical recommendations to inform more inclusive, flexible, and data-driven TM strategies in South African HE.
The influence of social media on consumer spending behaviour among young adults in Durban, KwaZulu- Natal.
(2025) Mhlarhi, Nyiko Niki Bruce.; Taylor, Simon Michael.
This study has examined the significant impact of social media on consumer spending behaviour among young adults in KwaZulu-Natal. It shows that social platforms are no longer passive communication tools but have become highly active digital marketplaces that blur the line between content consumption and commercial action. Findings indicate that daily social media engagement, especially among Gen Z (those born between 1996 and 2010), increases impulsive purchasing, aspirational spending, and emotional responses to curated influencer content. The use of integrated shopping features, such as Instagram Checkout and TikTok Shop, further reduces barriers to spending. Thematic analysis identified six key factors shaping these behaviours: habitual platform use, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), influencer trust, platform-specific influence, ad recall, and budgeting challenges. These themes highlight the importance of psychological, social, and technological aspects in understanding youth consumerism in digital contexts. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the impact of social media on consumer spending behaviour among young adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed online using non-probability sampling (convenience and snowball), yielding 158 valid responses from participants aged 18–29. The instrument comprised primarily 5-point Likert-scale items measuring social media usage intensity, engagement with brand and influencer content, FOMO, peer influence, platform preferences, ad recall, impulsive and trend-driven spending, and budgeting challenges. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means) to profile usage and spending patterns, and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and Pearson correlations, to examine associations between social media engagement variables and consumer spending behaviours. Factor analysis and reliability testing (Cronbach’s alpha) were applied to validate multi-item scales. The results show that high daily engagement with social media is significantly associated with increased impulsive purchasing, aspirational spending and emotionally driven responses to curated influencer and promotional content. Integrated shopping features (e.g., Instagram Checkout, TikTok Shop) were perceived as reducing friction in the purchase process, facilitating rapid conversions from exposure to transaction. The analysis further identified six key dimensions underpinning these behaviours: habitual platform use, FOMO-related emotional triggers, influencer trust, platform-specific influence patterns, digital advertising recall, and budgeting difficulties. These findings highlight the combined psychological, social, and technological drivers of youth consumerism in digital environments and underscore the challenges they pose for financial discipline among financially vulnerable groups. The study contributes empirical evidence to digital consumer psychology and social commerce literature in an emergingmarket context and offers practical insights for marketers, regulators, and educators. Recommendations include promoting more ethical, transparent digital marketing practices and developing targeted digital and financial literacy interventions for young consumers in regions such as KwaZulu-Natal. In conclusion, the research confirms that social media plays a significant role in shaping spending habits among young South African adults. The digital environment encourages both intentional and reactive purchasing through emotional, social, and algorithmic influences. The blending of entertainment and commerce creates challenges for financial discipline, especially for youth lacking financial literacy. Practically, this study offers marketers insights into customising content strategies and emphasises the need for regulators and educators to address the growing gap between digital convenience and consumer awareness. Theoretically, it adds to the literature on digital consumer psychology and media-driven decision-making. Future research should include longitudinal studies of spending patterns, examine platform-specific psychological effects, and explore interventions to improve digital budgeting skills in developing regions such as KwaZulu-Natal.
The influence of leadership styles on employee motivation at an automotive manufacturing company in South Africa.
(2025) Govender, Luchen.; Gerwel, Cecile, Proches.
South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry operates within a demanding environment characterised by global competition, technological change, and strict productivity and quality requirements. In such contexts, employee motivation at operational level is critical to sustained organisational performance, yet limited empirical research has examined how specific leadership styles influence motivation within South African automotive manufacturing organisations. This study investigated the relationship between leadership styles and employee motivation at an automotive manufacturing company in South Africa using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 107 operationallevel employees (from a population of 165) across operational-related functions and analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that democratic and transformational leadership styles were most frequently experienced by operational-level employees, while autocratic leadership was reported least often. Overall employee motivation levels were found to be moderate to high. However, when leadership styles were analysed simultaneously and overlapping leadership influences were controlled for, servant/coaching leadership emerged as the only leadership style with a statistically significant unique effect on employee motivation, highlighting its particular relevance within the operational manufacturing context examined. The study contributes empirical evidence from an underresearched South African manufacturing setting and underscores the importance of leadership behaviours that emphasise support, development, and empowerment in sustaining employee motivation and operational effectiveness, while acknowledging the limitations associated with a cross-sectional design and single-organisation focus.
Succession planning as a tool to manage leadership turnover in Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions in South Africa.
(2023) Ngcobo, Raynolds Thabo.; Bhasela, Yalezo.
Leadership turnover remains a worldwide perennial challenge to institutions of higher learning. Against this background, this to study investigated how Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions in South Africa use succession planning as a tool to manage leadership turnover, focussing on the management of leadership turnover, establishing current practice in implementing their succession planning policies, analysing how they mediate the tension between succession planning policies and recruitment policies, ascertaining the implications of their succession planning policies and practices for leadership development, and investigating if leadership succession planning is incorporated into their talent management strategies. The descriptive research design was adopted to understand the effect of succession planning on leadership turnover. Qualitative research was conducted to understand and explain the subject matter under investigation. Seven Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, located in four provinces: Western Cape, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, were selected for this study. The targeted population was approximately fifty participants, comprising Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans of Faculties and Executive Directors. Using the purposive sampling technique, twelve participants, who constituted the accessible population, were further selected. To collect primary data, semi-structured interviews were used. The data collected was then manually transcribed and analysed using the NVivo, Version 13.0 software, and thematic analysis to generate, organise and report the main and sub-themes emerging from the study. Findings showed that turnover at leadership levels in Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions could be managed through different strategies including, offering favourable terms and conditions of employment, internal and/or external recruitment, internal promotions, employee training and development, identification of people with potential, leadership involvement, and advance human resource planning. This study provides an in-depth understanding and knowledge of leadership succession planning in the seven Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions in South African and recommends that they continue to invest and implement in succession planning to manage leadership turnover through customised formalised processes.
The impact of the business acquisition to eliminate factors resulting in employee disengagement at 4Packaging.
(2022) Zungu, Boniwe Akhona Mandisa.; Ngwenya, Charles Tony Simphiwe.; Mashau, Pfano.
Organisations exist in Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA). Hence there is a modest expectation that employees will naturally remain engaged without the organisation strategically implementing interventions. More especially in an organisation where there have been recurrent changes in leadership, organisational structure, and organisational culture in a period of fewer than six years such as 4Packaging Africa Durban. These changes could positively or negatively impact employees’ perceptions, behaviour, and performance. Since the previous acquisition, the researcher had observed a growing pattern of disengaged workers before 4Packaging Africa Durban took over the business. With all these changes, there is a need to ascertain whether this behaviour is aggravated by the acquisitions, what factors drive it, and what effects does it have on employees’ level of engagement? Factors identified in the study, which harm employee engagement include lack of communication, consultation, management, unequal treatment, disregarding employees, machines, remuneration, and trust. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact during the acquisition to recommend strategies aimed at eliminating factors that result in employee disengagement. The key assumption of this study is that effective communication during a business acquisition can eliminate factors that result in employee disengagement at 4Packaging Africa Durban. Literature pertinent to employee disengagement and employee engagement was consulted to develop a greater understanding of the theories underpinning employee disengagement concerning a business acquisition. A formal qualitative research approach underpinned by a research tool, in-depth interviews, was employed in this study. As the researcher sought in-depth information from the 4Packaging Africa Durban employees, on the investigated topic. This methodology was appropriate for the research study as a real-world situation was being explored as it unfolds naturally. Data collected from open-ended and repeated in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The key findings indicate that 4Packaging Africa Durban employees are disengaged, they value communication during the process of a business acquisition, and they were negatively impacted by the business acquisition. The research findings are critical for eliminating factors that result in employee disengagement during a business acquisition at 4Packaging Africa Durban.
Exploring the role of transformational leadership in overcoming post-coronavirus challenges and building resilience in tourism SMMEs in eThekwini Municipality.
(2025) Maduna, Welcome.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
This study explores the role of transformational leadership in overcoming postcoronavirus challenges and building resilience in tourism SMMEs in eThekwini Municipality. It aims to understand the role of transformational leadership and resilience in navigating these challenges, focusing on how leadership styles can empower diverse workforce groups and foster organisational resilience. Using a qualitative approach, the research incorporated demographic insights through semistructured interviews with eighteen participants who included SMME leaders, managers, and employees who were purposively sampled. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse interview transcripts and document data. The findings revealed that demographic diversity, structural inequities, and a competitive digital landscape significantly impact SMMEs' operations. The study highlights that adaptive leadership is crucial for empowering teams and enabling them to withstand external pressures, emphasising the importance of tailored support mechanisms for diverse employee needs. Thus, this study recommends that policymakers should enhance financial support for tourism SMMEs. SMME leaders are encouraged to adopt transformational leadership practices that foster adaptability and team cohesion, promote resilience through community partnerships, and implement tailored communication strategies for their diverse workforce. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of digital transformation, the role of inclusive policy frameworks for black-led SMMEs and longitudinal studies to evaluate the effectiveness of resilience-building measures.
Analyzing leadership and management competencies required by management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2024) Sichela, Thobile Penelope.; Chummum, Bibi Zaheenah.
The institutions of Higher Learning find themselves battling several challenges, and the reduced funding from the government due to the global economic crisis has affected these institutions. Higher Learning institutions were also affected by the global pandemic, which meant that the institutions of higher learning had to transform their teaching methods from in-person teaching to online teaching, which has an impact way of teaching going forward. The institutions had to deal with constant student protests, which sometimes resulted in violence. Amongst all these challenges, the institution of learning, University of KwaZulu-Natal, has to find ways to deal with these challenges and remain relevant on the global stage and maintain its ranking status, and reputation. The University of KwaZulu-Natal has been through major changes in the past ten years and is undergoing yet another transformation. This study aims to explore the state of leadership and management competencies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the context of change and challenges that emerge in the Institute of Higher Learning. A quantitative study was conducted, and six objectives were employed to test whether the institution has suitable leaders and managers to lead the institution to meet its vision, mission, and goals. The study has a population size of 106, with an 84-sample size. The quantitative study was conducted using a descriptive and correlational design, and a random sampling technique was employed in this study. The questionnaire with 43 open-ended questions was posted on the UKZN notice to the University employees. 60 of the leadership and management employees, both academic and professional, participated in this study, resulting in a 71% response rate, with 20% academic management and the other 80% support staff management. The theoretical review was conducted in terms of theories, models, and frameworks to find new theories, gaps, and future studies. SPSS ANOVA statically instrument was used to analyze data, by analyzing the variables’ means, standard deviation, regression, and graphs. The hypotheses were tested through testing t-values and confidence levels to test managers’ competencies through managers' leadership style, trainingand development, management experience and educational background, management barriers, andtechnology leadership. There is a strong positive correlation between the institution leaders' and managers'skills, abilities, and competencies to lead the institution. The study has found that UKZN managers andleaders have the competencies required to manage the institution effectively. The study found gaps inwhether leaders’ and managers' team members found their respective leaders and managers to havecompetitive skills and the ability to manage the institution effectively. The future study recommendationis to test whether the leaders and managers team managers believe their team managers have thecompetencies, skills, and abilities to manage the teams.
Evaluating the Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Performance: A Case Study of BDP International in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2024) Ndinisa, Nonsikelelo Nonhlanhla Prudence.; Kanyangale, MacDonald.
Leadership is a critical factor influencing organisational success, yet its effects on employee performance remain underexplored at BDP International (Turner Shipping) in KwaZulu-Natal. This exploratory qualitative study investigates the leadership styles at BDP International, which is a logistics and supply company operating in KwaZulu-Natal, and their impact on employee performance. There were ten executive and middle-level managers selected from BDP International in KwaZulu-Natal using a purposive sampling technique who participated in this qualitative study. There is limited research on how leadership styles affect employee performance in KwaZulu-Natal’s logistics sector. This study focuses on BDP International to address this gap and provide context-specific insights. Data were collected from top level executives and managers at BDP International using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. First, the results of this exploratory study reveal that the five different themes identified as depicting the predominant leadership styles at BDP International in KwaZulu-Natal are as follow: (1) mixing of transformational, transactional and directing styles; (2) minimal employee involvement in decision-making, (3) pursuit of alignment of the company’s goals and objectives, (4) low fidelity two-way communication between managers and employees, and (5) limited engaging feedback for employee creativity, problem-solving and growth at BDP International. Second, the study has found five themes revealing how leadership styles affect employee performance. Transactional style for employee operational efficiency and performance culture, structured, constructive but irregular feedback not good for continuous employee improvement, driving employee job satisfaction through clarity of goals, structured expectations and rewards, leadership for employee retention and empowering and adaptive leadership to improve employee performance are the themes which depict the effect of leadership style on employee performance. Lastly, three key recommendations highlighted by participants in this study for enhancing and improving leadership practices are (1) Integrated and regular leadership development, (2) leadership development for new growth, and (3) holistic assessment of leadership effectiveness and progression. Future research may explore the long-term impact of leadership development, hybrid leadership styles, diversity, and digital transformation on leadership effectiveness in the logistics sector.
An analysis of capital expenditure for South African ports: trends and stakeholders’ comments.
(2025) Nzimande, Nokulunga Nongcebo.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
This study analyses capital expenditure trends at the South African ports from financial years 2018/19 to 2022/23, with a focus on stakeholders' viewpoints and underlying challenges. Transnet National Ports Authority, a part of Transnet SOC Ltd, oversees the operation and administration of South Africa's eight commercial ports, which play a critical role in facilitating maritime trade. South Africa's strategic location along global trade routes emphasizes the importance of its ports, which are state-owned and administered by Transnet SOC Ltd via TNPA. South Africa's ports are given importance to the national economy and understanding capital expenditure and its implications is critical for improving operational efficiency and competitiveness in the maritime sector. The National Ports Authority is crucial in assuring the proper running of the country's port infrastructure, which is vital for economic progress. The study addresses concerns regarding the effective implementation of capital expenditure in the ports sector, identifying key challenges and exploring possible incentives to improve spending efficiency. The research employs a mixed-method approach, utilizing secondary data from publicly available documents, such as Records of Decision documents, Annual Financial Statements (AFS) available on the Transnet Group, the Tariff Methodology Manuals of the Ports Regulator of South Africa, various tariff applications from TNPA, and feedback from stakeholders on the TNPA tariff application. Additionally, the study employs primary data collected through purposive interviews with four individuals who have been directly involved and have expertise in capital expenditure decision-making processes. The study also examines stakeholder’s concerns and recommendations related to tariff regulations and capital investment strategies. This research contributes to the discourse on port infrastructure investment, offering recommendations for improving capital expenditure processes at NPA. The insights gained from this analysis are intended to inform policymakers and industry stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach to enhance the effectiveness of capital investments in the port sector. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of strategic capital expenditure in supporting South Africa's economic growth and its position in the global maritime sector.

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